LS2 Helmets Advant X Carbon Modular Helmet

Ok so I started with a 100$ helmet, rode for a while and thought, well this helmet is pretty decent actually but surely I can do better. Long story short I got sucked into buying a $650 helmet. I already had a LS2 jacket and it's my favorite jacket so I already knew I generally like their products. I was very excited when I got the helmet, it looked sleek and very cool. It took a bit of adjusting the straps but then I put it on. I thought wow this is a much tighter fit than that old helmet, I got the XL and I thought maybe my head is larger than I think it is but after a couple days it startied feeling much much better and I consider it a perfect fit now. The best thing about this helmet is the noise level or lack thereof I should say. I did not even know it was possible for the inside of a helmet to be this quiet. Sometimes I have to open the visor just to remind myself that I'm outside. This helmet is not without airflow though, there is plenty actually with 3 different adjustable vents that allow air to subttley flow over the top of your skull like a natural AC. My music and podcasts are clear and easy to hear with my ASMAX helmet comm system that is stuck to the side of my helmet. It was easy to string the headset wires under the padding of the helmet. To get to the point, I can't imagine it gets much better than this as far as a helmet goes. I hope that I can use it for many years to come. If I take a big spill and bump the ole noggin I'll come back and hopefully be able to tell you how good it worked. Be safe out there.

This helmet is pretty nice. I came from a carbon fiber Simpson mod bandit. Super light and weighs the same as the Simpson. This helmet fits great and is a lot quieter. Rode four days, over ten hours in the saddle and no neck pain or aches. I mounted a Cardo pactalk to it and the only downside is the helmet does not allow u to clip it on. You have to use the 3M, but the helmet only has one flat spot closer to the back. Great visibility and the modular chin flips to the back with one hand; easy use. For the price it is a great helmet and the modular chin gives u versatility in wear.

What is advertised is what you get. I think there is a little more thought and sophistication built into this Carbon fiber trim over the standard KPA version. For the price point diff - there better be. The cushion design is upgraded (patented too), the air vents are slightly different and the locking for them and the front face (mine is modular) is better. The quick release chinstrap is def better and the inner visor deployment is solid and secure. On the standard model, the inner visor was bending and threatened to fall off Cool stuff, can’t wait for Spring.

This review will encompass both the LS2 Advant X Carbon helmet and the Cardo LS2 4x Bluetooth Headset. First, the helmet definitely lives up to its claim of being high quality and comfortable. The functionality of the chin bar is smooth and doesn't bind. It locks securely when put in the down position and a press of the button releases it without effort. With the chin bar down and visor up, the noise level is really low, even lower with the visor down. I really can't find anything to complain about other than the chin strap system they use. After 50 years of using D-rings, it's a PITA getting used to securing it, but the release is great. I knew this prior to buying the helmet so I can't blame LS2. Love the matte carbon finish too!! Now for the Cardo LS2 4x, I find this headset to be a step backwards for Cardo. I purchased this headset because it is a very slick compact design that incorporates into the helmet with ease. Other than it being aesthetically pleasing it falls flat and doesn't live up to the great experiences I have with my 5-year old Cardo Packtalk Bold headsets in my other helmets. My two biggest complaints is connectivity when using Android Auto and shorter battery life than my aged and well used Packtalk Bolds. I'll address the connectivity issue first. The bike I'm using this headset with is a 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT that has built in Android Auto. And no, it's not an issue with the bike. When I use Packtalk Bold it connects 100% of the time every time. With Pactalk Bold I don't even have to think about it. I turn on Packtalk Bold first and start the bike and it goes directly into AA. This procedure doesn't work with the LS2 4x even though the screen on the bike shows the headset is connected. Even after five tries it doesn't connect. I have a better chance of connectivity after the bike's system is fully initialized then start Cardo, but that isn't 100% and can take multiple tries. As for battery life, it's definitely shorter compared to my 5-year old Packtalk Bold headset. All things being equal, I would expect battery life to exceed that of a well used aged battery unless the unit is drawing more power or the battery capacity is smaller. Now for the overall experience with the headset. I love the design as it takes up less space than the Packtalk Bold. The sound quality is excellent and on par with the Packtalk Bold that I'm used to. As with all my headsets, I added a pair of 50mm headphone cushions to the JBL speakers (See picture). This dramatically increases sound quality and allows for using a much lower volume setting that minimizes distortion and improves frequency response. With the shorter battery life, I find the need to charge more often and find it inconvenient to have to carry the helmet to where I'm going to do the charging instead of just taking the headset body. I knew this was going to be the procedure before buying the headset, but was willing to live with the inconvenience. And since I use Cardo in conjunction with a two-way radio, I buried the full face microphone in the left cheek pad by sliding it in one of the holes on the back using a hemostat for the Cardo and use the boom mic wired exclusively for the two-way radio (see pic). The hidden mic has excellent sound quality for phone calls. For people that dislike the looks of the boom mic, you have the option of hiding the mic without having performance issues. And if you need tech support don't do as I did and call Cardo directly, you have to contact LS2 if you can find their number. After being on hold for 29 minutes with Cardo before getting a representative, I was then told that they don't give tech support for the LS2 4x and that LS2 will be the ones to support it. Cardo told me they would forward my contact info to LS2 and they would get in touch with me, which they never did. Just an all around bad experience and waste of time. Bottom line: I would not recommend this headset for anyone that spends a considerable amount of time on their bike, especially Goldwing riders. The shortcomings might be acceptable to people that take their bike for very short runs. Maybe the connectivity issue can be rectified with a firmware update? I really want to like this headset, but if Cardo doesn't get this resolved in a few months, I'll just toss it in the trash and buy the Packtalk Edge since the Bold is no longer made. I'm not going to allow the shortcomings of this headset to sour the phenomenal performance I've had with Packtalk Bold, but it definitely isn't ready for primetime and I will not recommend this to my friends.

The Helmet arrived and I went to try it on, I had to adjust the chin strap and let it all the way out, would be nice if the release side of the quick release was about 1” longer, got it adjusted the helmet fit tight, went for a ride, it took a little getting used to but started wearing in just fine. It was warm out and the helmet was hot, (any full face helmet would be at high temps).opened the upper vent and could definitely feel the breeze come in on top of my head. This helmet is way quieter than my other helmets, not mentioning name brands, when the face shield is down and the visor is cracked open you can hear the wind, when I closed the visor all the way I was really surprised on how quiet it was. It is going to take a little bit to get to find all of the vents and get used to the inside visor controls being on the side of the helmet, I actually like it, the outside visor I’m not used to having the tab on the very top of the visor, I like that as well as you are not touching the visor to adjust it down low and smudging your field of vision, especially if you ride with the visor cracked open. The helmet seems lighter than my other Carbon Fiber helmet, I haven’t weighed them but I’m pleased with the fact that this helmet feels light. I am rating this helmet a 5 as it seems to be constructed well, the features though will take some getting used to, like the quick release chin strap seem to well thought out for the most part. The size I purchased was XXL and it fits tightly on me but I am confident that it will wear in and will fit snug as it should. I was on the border of 2x or 3xl I believe I made the right choice of going a little snug and allowing for break in. Time will tell if this helmet will make the 5 year mark. I am glad I did not end up purchasing another $500.00 garage ornament. From what I have experienced so far I would recommend the purchase of this helmet.

This is an amazing helmet. The fit is comfortable and secure. The wind noise is minimal. I like the drop down visor. The speaker pockets are the perfect size for my Cardo. I but 3k miles in during break in and it performed flawlessly. This helmet is built very well. Well worth the price.

Perfect, exactly what I hoped for...

So for. $500 helmet this is amazing but not perfect. Comes with clear and smoke visor and pin lock ready and one pin lock for one of the visors. A carry and storage bag. Great value. Ok it is ece R22.06safety approved. Now for the grit. The ratchet ring is great but honestly can be tricky to line up but also works with gloves. Try a D ring there. The visor flips up on center top not bottom left or right like most. Takes getting used to but found it easy. Also visor is completely topless and swapped in less than 5 seconds ( yes really ). It is lightweight and full carbon even chin piece ( most carbon modular is not ). A little but more noise than some other helmets but awesome and no problems on venting ( Florida ). Chin forehead and rear upper vents. Honestly feels a little cheap and not so solid but not problems at all. I used sized up from xl to xxl to fit my big head ( 61-62 head ). For a modular best I have ever had for overall features and I have had neotec etc high end lids. I do a lot of adventure touring and very happy with this so far.